Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-07

PRESIDENT D0DGEs OPENING AppREss-BrsHoP
ANDREWS wELcoNE-rwo PAPERS ON THE PkRHs
OF THE CITY.
That convention was to be held in the Congre-
gational church this morning was apparent long
before 9oclock. In OF the large rooms near the
entrance there was a throng gathered about a
row OF desks engaged in registering their names
On the opposite side OF the wide hallway was q
room filled with tables and writing materials
Big placards on the door announced that this was
the correspondence and telegraph" room. Here
the western Union Telegraph Co had established
for the time branch office, with a superintendent
and corps Of messengers. Delegates to the
convention about to assemble began arriving
early. Some apparently came right from the
railroad depots. and had their vaifses in hand.
men, generally dressed neatly In sober black, and
wearing clertcal-lookfng collars. They We're not
especially sober or serious looking. Their faces
representative OF healthy Christianity. The gath
ering about to assemble was the general Christian
conference called by the Evangelical Alliance for
the United States The hour for meeting was
8 O'Clock. As the delegates arrived they were
shown 10 seats on the main noor OF the
o fb than sr DELEGATES s
OF the Evangelical Alliance, ascended 10 the plat
form the church was well filled with people. A
ladies' There were a few ladies' seated also on the
floor with the delegates. When President Dodge
went upon the platform young lady went Into
the organ loft and took seat In front OF the great
organ. number OF distinguished looking gentle.
me men went upon the platform with Mr. Dodge
Strong, two handsome old gentlemen, with
smoOthly-shaven faces, who took seats
the other at" at the left left Of Mr.. DODGE Bishop hop
Andrews OF this city; Bishop Harris, OF Michigan;
Bishop Hurst, OF Buffalo; Rev. DIR. A. T. Pferson, OF
Philadelphia, and other prominent members OF the
conference also sat on the platform. Rev. Or.
Josiah Strong, OF New York, general secretary OF
the Alliance, occupied a seat at a small table on
manuscript that indicated that there was much
work before him. 1t was 9:30 O'Clock when
THE PROCEEDINGS OPENED.
Mr.. Dodge, using and twirling his glasses in his
hand, announced the hymn, "Come, Gracious
Spirit" The lady at the organ pulled out the
stops; in moment the church was filled with mu-
sic, and then the gathering rising, joined In the
hymn. Bishop Harris, OF Michigan a robust
and handsome looking gentleman, with bushy,
black hair, read a biblical selection Rev. DIR. A.
I. Pierson, OF Philadelphia, was called upon by Mr.
Dodge to lead In prayer DR.. Pierson, advancing to
preston OF their unity the delegates all rise and
join first In the Lords Prayer. The Lords Prayer
having been said in concert by the whole gather
ing, DIR. PiersOn then offered a prayer, The audi
ence remaining standing while he was so engaged
Mr.. Dodge said ft would be Impossible to read all
the letters expressing sympathy for and interest
In the work OF the conference and regret at being
unable to attend. There were so many that to
read them would consume TOO much time. The
OF clergy men and others from whom such letters
had been received.